Reconsider 'stand ground'

Though they seem to offer protection, such laws also create victims

When the Florida jury returned its not guilty verdict Saturday in the George Zimmerman case, the reaction was strong and expected.

Crowds of people stood outside the courthouse after the late-night verdict expressing their disappointment, pain and outrage. Most of those people believed that 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was tracked and killed by Zimmerman because of Martin's race. Martin was African-American. Zimmerman is Hispanic-American.

Since then, similar crowds have gathered throughout the country - in large cities such as Los Angeles and small cities such as Springfield. The protests have been largely peaceful and have shared a call for justice and an end to racism.

In Springfield, about two dozen people held a vigil Sunday at Park Central Square. There was no doubt that they felt the verdict was wrong, but they expressed an optimism that has been apparent at other demonstrations.

"I think the point of this is to make something better out of it, to show love for (Martin's) family and everyone else affected by this," event organizer Alexia Vanquim said.

Making something better out of the shooting of a young man by an armed neighborhood watch volunteer is difficult - for those in both the Martin and Zimmerman camps. But the event does give us an opportunity to examine the country's position on guns and self-defense.

Florida has a law that gives anyone the right to use deadly force against a person believed to present a reasonable threat of bodily violence. The "Stand Your Ground" law protects people, including Zimmerman, from criminal or civil action if they kill or injure someone they believe intends to kill or seriously injure them.

Since it was signed into law in 2005, both sides have claimed victory. Opponents point out that justifiable homicides in Florida have tripled, while defenders cite a drop in violent crime.

Since 2005, more than 30 states have passed similar laws. Called the "castle doctrine," it was passed in Missouri in 2007.

While these laws provide a seeming protection for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves against lawbreakers, they can also end up with innocent victims. Such laws reinforce fear and anxiety in an increasingly polarized society.

Although Zimmerman was acquitted of a crime, he must live with the fact that he killed an equally innocent young man. His own life may not have been taken by a bullet in the heart, but life as he knew it is gone.

No one gets justice in this case.

But we are a nation of laws, and it is time to reconsider our laws to include real justice.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Reconsider 'stand ground'

When the Florida jury returned its not guilty verdict Saturday in the George Zimmerman case, the reaction was strong and expected.